Polish Sourdough Rye Bread

Method6 steps · about 10 hr 35 min

1. 1

   Step 1: The night before making the bread, in a medium sized mixing bowl, dissolve one packet of yeast and the sugar (1 teaspoon) in 2 cups of water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes. Stir in the rye flour (4 cups) until the mixture is smooth. Cover and let stand overnight.

   Yeast bloom · 10 minUses 1 package active dry yeast · 1 teaspoon white sugar · 2 cups water · 4 cups rye flour

2. 2

   Step 2: The next day, dissolve the remaining package of yeast in the buttermilk (1 cup). Add the rye flour (4 cups) mixture, the baking soda (1 teaspoon), the salt (1 tablespoon), 4 cups of the bread flour and stir to combine. Add the remaining 4 cups of bread flour, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring well after each addition (you may not need to add all of the flour). When the dough has become a smooth and coherent mass, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and supple, about 8 minutes. Sprinkle the caraway seeds (1 tablespoon) on the dough and knead them in until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.

   Uses remaining 1 package active dry yeast · 4 cups rye flour · 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature · 1 teaspoon baking soda · 1 tablespoon salt · 8 cups bread flour · 1 tablespoon caraway seed

3. 3

   Step 3: Lightly oil a large mixing bowl. Place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with the oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until the volume has doubled.

   First rise · 60 min

4. 4

   Step 4: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

5. 5

   Step 5: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and divide into three pieces. Form each piece into a loaf and place in 3 lightly greased 9x5 inch bread pans. Cover and let rise until nearly doubled, about 1 hour.

   Second rise · 60 minUses a little flour for dusting the work surface

6. 6

   Step 6: Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for about 35 minutes or until the bottom of the loaves sound hollow when tapped.

   Bake loaves · 35 min